Fifty-five meters below the surface lies a marvel of engineering. This is Estação Penha de Fran ça. It’s not yet open but soon this will be one of the deepest stations in São Paulo’s metro system.
Imagine the bustling activity planned for this space. Estação Penha de Fran ça will be a major transit hub. It will connect to the existing Penha station on Line 3-Red. It will also integrate with the Line 11-Coral commuter train. The planned Line 2-Green will run directly through it.
The initial designs for this station started in the mid-1970s. It was originally called Aricanduva. This reflected its location near the Aricanduva River. The plans were part of a larger project to build the East-West Line. The land for the current Penha station was acquired through municipal decrees in 1977 and 1983. Construction finally started in the early 1980s. However it faced numerous delays.
The Penha station on Line 3-Red finally opened on May 31 1986. Governor Franco Montoro presided. The inauguration was chaotic. The station and ceremonial trains were overcrowded. The event even saw children separated from their parents. Remarkably São Paulo’s mayor Jânio Quadros did not attend. It was a first in the city’s metro history.
The existing Penha station is a semi-subterranean structure. It consists of 19 pre-cast concrete blocks. It includes a mezzanine level above a central platform. The design is concrete with a metal lattice roof. The station’s capacity is 20 000 passengers daily. It covers 12 170 square meters.
The planned Estação Penha de Fran ça will be even grander. It will boast 20 000 square meters of built area. Six flights of stairs will lead down to the platforms. The station’s design resembles Pinheiros station on Line 4-Yellow. It is expected to draw significant ridership from the Penha de França neighborhood. Its location in a commercial area will boost its use. It will also have three different entrances.
The construction of Estação Penha de Fran ça is a significant undertaking. It requires extensive excavation using the NATM method. The main shaft will have a diameter of 40 meters. Once completed this station will transform the area. It will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of commuters. This is a significant addition to São Paulo’s already impressive metro system. It symbolizes the city’s continued growth and development. The opening of Estação Penha de Fran ça is something to truly anticipate.